Lap apron with fitted overhang and upwardly open pockets for use while seated

ABSTRACT

The invention pertains to aprons covering the lap. The present invention provides a lap apron protecting the user&#39;s clothing or like for use while seated and eating or drinking. The lap apron is a technical advancement compared to prior art, because the lap apron is strapless and without fasteners or ties and uses a fitted overhang around the knees and lap to provide protection, stability, and comfort. The lap apron comprises a lap portion for covering the lap, waist, and knees of the user and upwardly open pockets on either side of the lap, which can be used to hold utensils, napkins, beverages or the like. One form of the lap apron only includes shorter pockets to hold beverages or the like. Another form of the lap apron does not include any pockets. The lap apron folds up into a convenient soft compact size like a cloth table napkin.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT (IF APPLICABLE)

Not Applicable.

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISC APPENDIX (IF APPLICABLE)

Not Applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

This invention pertains to aprons. More specifically, the invention pertains to aprons covering the lap while seated and eating or drinking.

2. Description of the Background Art

Because consumers sometimes eat and drink while seated in surroundings that compel them to place the food and beverages on their laps, this inevitably leads to spills and drips which may cause undesirable clothing stains or contact with bare skin. Some consumers have simply utilized a napkin positioned upon their lap to protect the lap from spills and drips associated with the food and beverage items. A napkin, however, does not provide the comfort and stability of a fitted overhang around the knees and lap, nor the convenience of upwardly open pockets on either side of the lap used to hold utensils, napkins, beverages or the like. Several aprons, bibs, lap bibs, lap trays, lap mats, lap tables, napkins and other products have been developed to deal with this problem.

For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,243,869, issued to Ekovich (Jun. 12, 2001), discloses an apron worn by a wearer in a seated position so as to support food thereon. The apron comprising a torso panel and a lap panel extending from the torso panel made of a flexible sheet material, including an adjustable neck strap. The lap panel has a sleeve in which a foldable lap plate is removably mounted through a closeable end opening in the sleeve. With the use of fasteners or being fixed rather than being releasably formed, the side margins of the lap panel are folded to create side pouches adjacent to the edge of the lap plate used to catch crumbs or other types of waste or spills. In use, a consumer dons the apron similar to conventional aprons with the neck strap wrapped about the neck, the torso panel draped over the torso and the lap panel draped over the lap. This apron, however, requires the use of a neck strap and removable lap plate, which makes the apron difficult for the user to manipulate and makes the apron aesthetically unappealing and therefore less likely to be purchased and used.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,115,639, issued to Moszczynski (Dec. 31, 1963), discloses an apron capable of functioning as a lap table. The apron comprises a waist-band, including ribbon-like end portions, to serve in the usual manner as ties to be knotted round the waist of the wearer to support the apron in the conventional manner. Descending from the waistband is an apron panel of any suitable fabric, which may be of woven material or otherwise and which serves to cover at least the lap portion of the wearer. The inner or rear face of the apron panel is provided with an upwardly open pocket, wherein a removable rigid panel of any suitable material of the same general size and shape as the pocket is seated therein. Alongside the pocket but on the front face of the apron panel is an upwardly open accessory pocket, which is relatively shallow and narrow and its center line does not extend directly vertically but is tilted slightly inwardly at the top used to hold silverware or the like accessories. The apron waistband is tied around the waist of a wearer who is assumed to be in the sitting position. The rigid panel rests on the lap of the wearer and defines a substantially level flat surface capable of functioning efficiently as a table for the support of a plate and other eating accessories. This apron, however, requires the use of a waistband with fasteners and removable rigid panel, which makes the apron difficult for the user to manipulate and makes the apron aesthetically unappealing and therefore less likely to be purchased and used.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,181,275, issued to Spulgis (Jan. 26, 1993), discloses an apron placed in the lap of a seated wearer to protect the legs and lower torso of the wearer, as well as the seating surface on which the wearer is seated. The apron device is characterized by a defined cup area which allows a beverage container to be positioned in the crotch area of the seated wearer, and which aids in the positioning of the device over the wearer. The device may be held in place by positioning an automotive type seat belt over the upper portion of the apron. This apron has a cup holder in the crotch area making the apron aesthetically unappealing and therefore less likely to be purchased and used.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,095,058, issued to Earnhart (Aug. 1, 2000), discloses a lap mat for overlaying a person's lap, including openings for holding a beverage container and food items. A pocket is located under the openings and resides between the person's legs when the lap mat overlays the person's lap. The pocket provides thermal insulation and containment of the beverage and food items inserted into the openings. This lap mat places the beverage holder in the crotch area making the lap mat aesthetically unappealing and therefore less likely to be purchased and used.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,671,479, issued to Dedrick (Sep. 30, 1997), discloses a foldable lap tray comprised of a flat web to cover the wearer's lap, a foldable bib attached to the lap tray, and a loop of spring material that holds the web taut when the spring is fully extended. The bib is reversibly connected to the user's neck by a circular strap. The lap tray is foldable by twisting the spring into an odd-numbered series of smaller connected loops. The neck strap on the bib, however, makes the lap tray difficult for the user to manipulate and makes the lap tray aesthetically unappealing and therefore less likely to be purchased and used.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,701,605, issued to Bowen (Dec. 30, 1997), discloses an auto bib with integral tray portion. The foldable and reusable bib protects the upper and lower torso, including a flat relatively stiff sheet having a long axis and width. The flat sheet includes a transverse fold line, transverse to the long axis and extending across the width of the sheet, thereby dividing the sheet into upper and lower portions. A tray portion is established when the flat sheet is folded. The lower portion further includes a cup holding means for holding a drinking cup in a relatively upright position in the crotch area. The flat sheet is a stiff paper product such as corrugated board or box board and the transverse fold line in the paper product is a scored fold line or a perforated fold line. This apron is stiff and places the cup holder in the crotch area, which makes the bib difficult for the user to manipulate and makes the bib aesthetically unappealing and therefore less likely to be purchased and used.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,220,692, issued to Cox (Jun. 22, 1993), discloses a driver's apron that may be worn by the driver of a vehicle. The apron can be put on and taken off with one hand making a single connection. The apron comprises a torso panel and a lap panel, the former removably connected to a neck strap. The lap panel covers the thighs and knees. The sides of the lap panel are stiffened by weights maintaining the lap panel flat on the thighs and preventing it from creeping up over the knees despite the movement of the driver's legs as he operates the pedals of the vehicle. The apron is made of water-repellent, moisture-breathing, fire retardant fabric. This apron, however, requires the use of a neck strap, which makes the apron difficult for the user to manipulate and makes the apron aesthetically unappealing and therefore less likely to be purchased and used.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,178,170 B2, issued to Thompson (Feb. 20, 2007), discloses a lap bib for use in a vehicle or the like. The lap bib includes a lap portion for covering the lap of the user, an abdomen portion for covering the abdomen of the user, and an attached closure band for conveniently stowing and transporting the lap bib when not in use. The lap bib is preferably made of a material that may be repeatedly laundered and dried and that is sufficiently non-slip on the lap of the user. The lap bid has sufficient rigidity and/or appropriate flexibility such that one or more eating/drinking implements, such as a plate or bowl, a knife, a fork, a spoon, a cup, and/or the like, may be supported on the upper surface of the lap bib. A plurality of appropriately sized loops of fabric or the like may be used to securely hold a knife, a fork, and a spoon. Likewise, a piece of Velcro or the like may be used to securely hold a plate or bowl. A suitable cup-holder may also be used to securely hold a plate or bowl. The lap bib is stowed by being folded, rolled up and secured by attached closure bands. This lap bib, however, does not have the stability, comfort and convenience given by a fitted overhang around the knees and lap with upwardly open pockets on either side of the lap used for holding utensils, napkins, beverages or the like, which makes the lap bib difficult for the user to manipulate and makes the lap bib aesthetically unappealing and therefore less likely to be purchased and used.

Finally, U.S. Pat. No. 3,978,553, issued to Honig (Sept. 7, 1976), discloses a napkin that is especially adapted to remain on the lap of the user during the eating operation and additionally provides for a pocket to hold silverware such as for use on airplanes, trains and the like. The napkin is especially adapted to be adhesively retained on the clothing of the user, comprising a first sheet of pliable material, the first sheet having a border defining a substantially centrally disposable flap section, the flap section including at least two layers of opposing second sheets joined on at least three sides and forming a pocket therebetween. The pocket is adapted to releasably retain a quantity of flatware therein, the three sides being in contact with and co-forming the border, the three sides being joined to said first sheet along the border by a perforated line, the line adapted to be broken whereby the flap may be lifted upward away from the first sheet. Pressure sensitive adhesive is disposed along one lateral end of the first sheet, and a cover is removed therefrom to expose the adhesive layer. The adhesive layer is adjacent to one end of the flap. This napkin is sticky and contains flaps and sheets, which makes the napkin difficult for the user to manipulate and makes the napkin aesthetically unappealing and therefore less likely to be purchased and used.

The aprons, bib, lap bib, lap tray, lap mat, lap table and napkin described above, however, suffer from significant drawbacks. The aprons, lap table, and lap tray for example, are difficult for a user to manipulate, as they must be placed around the user's neck or waist. An apron, bib and lap mat have a cup holder located in the crotch area. These make the aprons, bib, lap table, lap tray, and lap mat aesthetically unappealing and therefore less likely to be purchased and used. The napkin, for example, is sticky and contains flaps and sheets. In addition, none of the aprons, bibs, lap bibs, lap trays, lap mats, lap tables, napkins or other products have the stability, comfort and convenience given by a fitted overhang around the knees and lap with upwardly open pockets on either side of the lap used for holding utensils, napkins, beverages or the like, which can be folded up into a convenient soft compact size like a cloth table napkin. The present invention is also inexpensive to manufacture compared to the prior art being made from less than a yard of flexible sheet material depending on the dimensions of the lap apron and some sewing thread or the like. Accordingly, the lap apron device of the present invention addresses these drawbacks.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An embodiment of the invention provides a lap apron protecting the user's clothing or like for use while seated and eating or drinking made of a flexible sheet material or the like, such as a No. 1 cotton duck cloth, cut and sewn or the like to create a lap portion for covering the lap, waist, and knees of the user and a fitted overhang around the knees and lap, which includes upwardly open pockets on either side of the lap, which can be used to hold utensils, napkins, beverages or the like. Unlike the aesthetically unappealing prior art, this aesthetically appealing lap apron is strapless and without fasteners or ties, folds up into a convenient soft compact size like a cloth table napkin, and uses a fitted overhang around the knees and lap to provide protection, stability, and comfort.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the lap apron 1 in one embodiment of the present invention being worn by a user in a seated position;

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the lap apron 1 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a right side perspective view of the lap apron 1 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a top perspective view of the lap apron 1 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a left side perspective view of the lap apron 1 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a bottom perspective view of the lap apron 1 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a rear perspective view of the lap apron 1 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 8 is a bottom perspective view of the lap apron 1 of FIG. 2 when the fitted overhang is folded over onto the underside of the lap portion of the lap apron;

FIG. 9 is a bottom perspective view of the lap apron 1 of FIG. 2 when the fitted overhang is folded over onto the underside of the lap portion of the lap apron and then the left half is folded over onto the right half along the vertical centerline;

FIG. 10 is a bottom perspective view of the lap apron 1 of FIG. 2 when the fitted overhang is folded over onto the underside of the lap portion of the lap apron, then the left half is folded over onto the right half along the vertical centerline, and then the bottom half is folded over and onto the top half along the horizontal centerline;

FIG. 11 is a bottom perspective view of the lap apron 1 of FIG. 2 when the fitted overhang is folded over onto the underside of the lap portion of the lap apron, then the left half is folded over onto the right half along the vertical centerline, then the bottom half is folded over and onto the top half along the horizontal centerline, and then the bottom half is folder over and onto the top half along the horizontal centerline;

FIG. 12 is a bottom right side perspective view of the lap apron 1 of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the lap apron 1 in another embodiment of the present invention being worn by a user in a seated position;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the lap apron 1 in a third embodiment of the present invention being worn by a user in a seated position.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the lap apron 1 in a fourth embodiment of the present invention being worn by a user in a seated position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIG. 1, an embodiment of the present invention provides a lap apron 1 protecting the user's 2 clothing 3 and 4 or like for use while seated in a chair 5 or like and eating or drinking from a bottle 6 or like. The lap apron 1 comprises a lap portion 7 for covering the lap, waist, and knees of the user and upwardly open pockets on either side of the lap 8, 9, 10, 11, which can be used to hold utensils, napkins, beverages 6 or the like. The lap apron 1 uses a fitted overhang around the knees and lap 12 and 13 to provide protection, stability, and comfort.

The lap apron 1 is made of a flexible sheet material or the like, cut and sewn or the like to create a lap portion 7 for covering the lap, waist, and knees of the user, a fitted overhang around the knees and lap 12 and 13, and upwardly open pockets on either side of the lap 8, 9, 10, 11, which can be used to hold utensils, napkins, beverages 6 or the like. The fitted overhang around the knees and lap 12 and 13 hangs from the sides of the lap portion 7, but not the side of the lap portion 7 abutting the waist. The lap portion 7 and fitted overhang portion 12 and 13 may also have one or more decorative graphics or logos, such as sports team or corporate logos or advertisements, attached thereto via a printing technique, decal, stitching, gluing or the like. The lap portion 7 shown is rectangular, but other shapes may also be used. The lap apron 1 is made of a flexible sheet material or the like, such as a No. 1 cotton duck cloth. The lap apron 1 may also be made of a flexible sheet material or the like, such as a substantially water resistant, substantially water repellant, or substantially water absorbent flexible sheet material or combination thereof. The lap apron 1 may also be made of a flexible sheet material or the like, such as paper, plastic, fabric, cloth, polyester, nylon, vinyl, cardboard, foam, or combination thereof.

Referring to FIG. 2, an embodiment of the present invention shows a front perspective view of the lap apron 1 of FIG. 1. The form fitting overhang 12 is hemmed with stitching or the like 14.

Referring to FIG. 3, an embodiment of the present invention shows a right side perspective view of the lap apron 1 of FIG. 2. The longer pocket 9 is separated from the shorter pocket 11 by a vertical line of stitching or the like 15. Preferably, the height of the fitted overhang 13 is between 5 and 6.5 inches 16, although other suitable dimensions may be used. A flap folded up and in half is hemmed with stitching or the like 17, 18 and 19, and sewn or the like 20 and 21 to itself and the adjacent fitted overhang 12 comprising the fitted overhang 13 and the upwardly open pockets 9 and 11. The side of the lap portion 7 without a fitted overhang abutting the waist is hemmed with stitching or the like 22.

Referring to FIG. 4, an embodiment of the present invention shows a top perspective view of the lap apron 1 of FIG. 2. Preferably, the width of the lap portion 7 is between 12.5 and 16 inches 23 and the length is between 18 and 22.5 inches 24, although other suitable dimensions may be used.

Referring to FIG. 5, an embodiment of the present invention shows a left side perspective view of the lap apron 1 of FIG. 2. The longer pocket 8 is separated from the shorter pocket 10 by a vertical line of stitching or the like 25. Preferably, the height of the fitted overhang 26 is between 5 and 6.5 inches 27, although other suitable dimensions may be used. A flap folded up and in half is hemmed with stitching or the like 28, 29 and 30, and sewn or the like 31 and 32 to itself and the adjacent fitted overhang 12 comprising the fitted overhang 26 and the upwardly open pockets 8 and 10.

Referring to FIG. 6, an embodiment of the present invention shows a bottom perspective view of the lap apron 1 of FIG. 2. Fitted overhang 12 is sewn or the like 33 and 34 to adjacent fitted overhangs 13 and 26.

Referring to FIG. 7, an embodiment of the present invention shows a rear perspective view of the lap apron 1 of FIG. 2.

Referring to FIG. 8, an embodiment of the present invention shows a bottom perspective view of the lap apron 1 of FIG. 2 when the fitted overhang 12, 13 and 26 is folded over onto the underside of the lap portion 7 of the lap apron 1. A vertical centerline 35 is shown on the lap portion 7 of the lap apron 1.

Referring to FIG. 9, an embodiment of the present invention shows a bottom perspective view of the lap apron 1 of FIG. 2 when the fitted overhang 12, 13 and 26 is folded over onto the underside of the lap portion 7 of the lap apron 1 and then the left half is folded over onto the right half along the vertical centerline 35 leaving a horizontal centerline 36.

Referring to FIG. 10, an embodiment of the present invention shows a bottom perspective view of the lap apron 1 of FIG. 2 when the fitted overhang 12, 13 and 26 is folded over onto the underside of the lap portion 7 of the lap apron 1, then the left half is folded over onto the right half along the vertical centerline 35, and then the bottom half is folded over and onto the top half along the horizontal centerline 36 leaving a horizontal centerline 37.

Referring to FIG. 11, an embodiment of the present invention shows a bottom perspective view of the lap apron 1 of FIG. 2 when the fitted overhang 12, 13 and 26 is folded over onto the underside of the lap portion 7 of the lap apron 1, then the left half is folded over onto the right half along the vertical centerline 35, then the bottom half is folded over and onto the top half along the horizontal centerline 36, and then the bottom half is folder over and onto the top half along the horizontal centerline 37 with a preferably width between 5 and 6.5 inches 38 and a length between 6.5 and 8.5 inches 39, although other suitable dimensions may be used.

Referring to FIG. 12, an embodiment of the present invention shows a bottom right side perspective view of the lap apron 1 of FIG. 11.

Referring to FIG. 13, another embodiment of the present invention shows a perspective view of the lap apron 1 without longer upwardly open pockets on either side of the lap, but with shorter upwardly open pockets on either side of the lap 10 and 11.

Referring to FIG. 14, a third embodiment of the present invention shows a perspective view of the lap apron 1 without any pockets.

Referring to FIG. 15, a fourth embodiment of the present invention shows a perspective view of the lap apron 1 with upwardly open pockets on either side of the lap 8, 9, 10, 11 and in front of the knees 40. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A lap apron comprising: a) a lap portion for covering the lap, waist, and knees of a user while seated without straps, fasteners or ties made of a flexible sheet material or the like; b) a fitted overhang portion around the knees and lap without straps, fasteners or ties made of a flexible sheet material or the like hanging from the sides of the lap portion, but not hanging from the side of the lap portion abutting the waist; and c) upwardly open pockets on either side of the lap located on the fitted overhang portion made of a flexible sheet material or the like.
 2. The lap apron of claim 1, further comprising one or more decorative graphics or logos disposed on a surface of the lap apron.
 3. The lap apron of claim 1, further comprising a rectangular lap portion.
 4. The lap apron of claim 1, further comprising upwardly open pockets on either side of the lap located on the fitted overhang portion made of a flexible sheet material or the like with both a longer and shorter pocket on each side of the lap.
 5. The lap apron of claim 1, further comprising upwardly open pockets on either side of the lap located on the fitted overhang portion made of a flexible sheet material or the like with only a shorter pocket on each side of the lap.
 6. The lap apron of claim 1, further comprising upwardly open pockets on either side of the lap and in front of the knees located on the fitted overhang portion made of a flexible sheet material or the like with both a longer and shorter pocket on each side of the lap.
 7. The lap apron of claim 1, further comprising upwardly open pockets on either side of the lap and in front of the knee located on the fitted overhang portion made of a flexible sheet material or the like with only a shorter pocket on each side of the lap.
 8. The lap apron of claim 1, further comprising a flexible sheet material or the like, such as a No. 1 cotton duck cloth.
 9. The lap apron of claim 1, further comprising a flexible sheet material or the like, such as a substantially water resistant, substantially water repellant, or substantially water absorbent flexible sheet material or combination thereof.
 10. The lap apron of claim 1, further comprising a flexible sheet material or the like, such as a substantially thermal insulating or thermal conductive flexible sheet material or combination thereof.
 11. The lap apron of claim 1, further comprising a flexible sheet material or the like, such as a padded flexible sheet material.
 12. The lap apron of claim 1, further comprising a flexible sheet material or the like, such as paper, plastic, fabric, cloth, polyester, nylon, vinyl, cardboard or foam.
 13. A lap apron comprising: a) a lap portion for covering the lap, waist, and knees of a user while seated without straps, fasteners or ties made of a flexible sheet material or the like; and b) a fitted overhang portion around the knees and lap without straps, fasteners or ties made of a flexible sheet material or the like hanging from the sides of the lap portion, but not hanging from the side of the lap portion abutting the waist.
 14. The lap apron of claim 13, further comprising one or more decorative graphics or logos disposed on a surface of the lap apron.
 15. The lap apron of claim 13, further comprising a rectangular lap portion.
 16. The lap apron of claim 13, further comprising upwardly open pockets on any or all sides of the lap portion or the fitted overhang portion made of a flexible sheet material or the like, such as a No. 1 cotton duck cloth.
 17. The lap apron of claim 13, further comprising a flexible sheet material or the like, such as a substantially water resistant, substantially water repellant, or substantially water absorbent material or combination thereof.
 18. The lap apron of claim 13, further comprising a flexible sheet material or the like, such as a substantially thermal insulating or thermal conductive flexible sheet material or combination thereof.
 19. The lap apron of claim 13, further comprising a flexible sheet material or the like, such as a No. 1 cotton duck cloth or a padded flexible sheet material.
 20. The lap apron of claim 13, further comprising a flexible sheet material or the like, such as paper, plastic, fabric, cloth, polyester, nylon, vinyl, cardboard, foam, or combination thereof. 